ozymandias - percy bysshe shelley

• The hand that mocked them and the heart that fed;


  Ozymandias was so fixated on his status that he failed to find a balance between emotion and ambition, hence why "the hand that mocked them and the heart that fed" as the heart is usually seen as the seat of love yet here it doesn't love and provides nothing, but instead takes/"feeds" on whatever it needs. Alternatively the heart represents emotion whereas the hand is mechanical. This idea of balance/lack of balance may link to how Ozymandias abused his power and was uncontrollable.
• trunkless legs of stone


  demonstrates how the statue lacked a body and therefore a heart. informs the reader on Ozymandias' machiavelli and impassiveness and how he governed a tyranny through his repressive policies. conversely this may signify a lack of connection between his body and brain. Ozymandias has presence but no insight or intellect to recognise his limitations and the illusion of power
• Shelley uses the image of 'nothing beside remains' to suggest that all human achievements are temporary and fleeting, emphasising the theme of mortality and the impermanence of human existence. Shelley argues that our actions and accomplishments do not last forever, and that we must strive towards something greater than ourselves if we want to leave a lasting impact on the world.
• Lone and level sands


  Use of desert imagery suggests a metaphorical levelling: no matter how superior you are in life, in dead we are all equal and have nothing
• Metaphorical levelling


  • Reveals the futility of men's aspirations for domination
  • Eventually all will fall to dust and the fruitless actions will be forgotten
• Shelley is making a stand against the greed and avarice of society


  Showing that ultimately we will not prevail
• Shelley concludes by highlighting the myth of permanence and suggesting that everything, even the most imposing buildings and monuments will eventually fall as a warning to despots like ozy
• the contrast between the hot desert and ozymandias' "cold command" 


  this could insinuate that this land no longer belongs to him and he is foreign being with his cold command as the desert remains how it is and the 'lone and level sands stretch far away'. he no longer has power over his surroundings and his authority is now futile. it also evokes the notion that his authority and haughtiness has ceased. 'cold' gives a sense of death and unfamiliarity, underlining how his commands are no longer enforced. the alliterative vowels 'c' imitate the harsh sound of a self important man giving orders